F-20 doesn't start

Bill Thompson · Jun 18, 2012

I cleaned the points and ajusted them to .013. How can I check for spark. I tried a test light and the wife will not hold on to the wire. Kids and grandkids are gone to.Put starter fluid in and will not pop. Magneto is about 3 years old.

Thanks

F-Dean · Jun 18, 2012

Harbor Freight has a spart testing device that you put on the spark plug and attach the spark plug wire to it. A light flashes when it fires.

Cheaper than a divorce Lawyer!

Dave BN · Jun 18, 2012

You can buy a test tool at the parts store to test spark. Tool has a place to plug the wife on and a ground lead to clamp to the frame. There is an adjustable set of points for the spark to jump an you can watch it. Thaf or get anothers wife to help.
Dave

Nebraska Cowman · Jun 18, 2012

Good grief man, can you see? You don't need nothing but your eyes to test spark. You need a good blue fire that will jump 3/8 in. That's why your wife won't hold the wire. & I do stress "blue" fire. Orange won't cut it. Is your impulse clicking?

El Toro · Jun 18, 2012

Replace the condenser and remove one of the sparkplugs and reconnect the plug wire to the plug. Then press on the hex on the sparkplug against the engine block while a helper cranks over the engine. It won't shock you and see if there's fire to the plug. As mentioned listen for the impulse coupling snapping when cranking.
The spark should be hotter when it snaps. Hal

Old-F20 · Jun 18, 2012

(quoted from post at 11:48:01 06/18/12) Good grief man, can you see? You don't need nothing but your eyes to test spark. You need a good blue fire that will jump 3/8 in. That's why your wife won't hold the wire. & I do stress "blue" fire. Orange won't cut it. Is your impulse clicking?

dont know about you howard, but when a mag is on a tractor its pretty dam hard to crank one and peek around the front of it and look for a little 3/8 inch spark

F-Dean · Jun 18, 2012

One more idea:
Use a "twisted belt" from another tractor to turn the engine while you check for spark.

Also, this will help determine if the impulse is stuck because at this rate of turning, the impulse will be over-ridden.

Mark Poss · Jun 18, 2012

Listen to F Dean AMEN

robgIN · Jun 18, 2012

it doesn't have any spark or he would have eaten the crank when he sprayed the starting fluid in it. That stuff is ok for electric start tractors or if you are gonna pull start it but you are asking for trouble shooting that in and hand crankin it.

Nebraska Cowman · Jun 18, 2012

He said he set the points. I thought he had the mag
off?

Old-F20 · Jun 18, 2012

(quoted from post at 17:53:52 06/18/12) He said he set the points. I thought he had the mag
off?

you can set points with the mag on. they are either open or shut, and when they open up when you turn the engine over real slow you can set the gap. do it all the time

F-20 doesn't start

Bill Thompson

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F-Dean

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Dave BN

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Nebraska Cowman

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El Toro

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Old-F20

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F-Dean

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Mark Poss

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robgIN

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Nebraska Cowman

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Old-F20

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